Just another pregnant woman

I had my first real OB appointment yesterday with Dr. Awesome and Nurse B. It was so nice to walk into a waiting room full of pregnant women and feel like I belonged. Granted, I have a big old red sticker in my file reminding everyone of our high risk triplet status, but for the first time no one treated me like the fertility treatment failure that I have felt like up to now. Very refreshing. I was there for about an hour and half and came away feeling like I have a plan and an idea as to what the next few weeks are going to look like. Starting in October I will have weekly ultrasounds to check the length of my cervix. According to Dr. Awesome, if it doesn't start to shorten by 23 weeks it is unlikely to do so and I will graduate to bi-weekly appointments until my scheduled c-section after 35 weeks or I go into labor, whichever comes first. On average, triplet pregnancies last 32 weeks, but I fully intend to be one of those data points on the high end of the curve. Dr. Awesome told me that if I make it to 35 weeks I'll get to take the babies home with me, so that's my plan and I'm sticking to it. Other important events in October will be the big anatomy (and hopefully gender-revealing) ultrasound and a consulation with a cardiologist. The last one is not so fun, but Dr. Awesome has observed an increased incidence of cardiomyopathy in women of advanced maternal age with high order multiples and monitors all of his triplet moms who are over the age of 35.

Yesterday I told my manager that I was pregnant and he was thrilled for me, even after his eyes widened when I got to the triplet part. He also told me he'd been wondering for the last week or so because I have been "standing like a pregnant woman." My husband's supervisor said his wife asked him if I was pregnant after we saw them socially a couple of weeks ago, so I guess I'm definitely showing. So much for me thinking I was still incognito; the whole office is probably speculating about me and I'm the only one out of the loop. I won't be able to hide it much longer, I'm totally growing a baby belly and can no longer button any of my pants. This morning I had to resort to the elastic band trick to keep my jeans on. Thank heavens leggings, baggy tops and chunky sweaters are in style, hopefully I can get away without having to buy maternity clothes for a while longer.

In other news, I am cautiously optimistic that the nausea may be abating. I'm eating better (less frequently and healthier foods) and the horrible taste in my mouth is noticeably less horrible. Cinnamint Orbit is still my best friend, along with Hot Tamales, cinnamon Altoids and Genmaicha. I still shudder at the thought of a big hunk of meat, but I've been able to enjoy some juicy falling-off-the-bone roast chicken and homemade turkey curry meatball soup. My husband and I joined a gym last night and are planning to go swimming 3-4 times per week for as long as my doctor says it's ok (currently I have no restrictions). Bed rest is a real possibility at some point during the next 23 weeks, and I'd like to maintain as much muscle tone as possible in preparation (also because I'll be having major abdominal surgery).